England captain Alastair Cook has welcomed the selection dilemma he and coach Andy Flower face ahead of the third Test against India in Kolkata.

Steven Finn's return to fitness from a thigh injury means Cook and Flower must decide whether to jettison off-colour vice-captain Stuart Broad in favour of the tall Middlesex paceman, who was one of the few positives in England's one-day international series thrashing by the same opponents 12 months ago.

With the four-match series finely poised at 1-1, Cook was unsurprisingly giving very little away at his pre-match press conference but spoke of Finn in glowing terms.

"On Steven Finn's injury, it's great he's now fully fit. He adds competition to the squad, he's a fine bowler and it's great to have him available for selection," Cook said.

"It's disappointing he's missed two games but it's great that he's back and we've got some tough selection meetings ahead of us.

"But as a captain and as a coach, that's what you want. You want people pushing for places."

Broad has been down on pace and is wicketless in the opening two matches and Cook admitted Finn could give England something different.

"He's got a little bit more pace than the other guys and he bowled well here on the sub-continent in the one-dayers," the left-hander added.

Cook's opening partner Nick Compton, meanwhile, is happy to learn on the job with England.

The Somerset batsman has made a solid start to his international career and served notice of his capabilities with an impressive 30 not out from 28 balls to help England seal a famous 10-wicket victory in Mumbai last time out.

Compton hinted that came about due to his refusal to let India's spinners dictate the pace to him.

"Finding a balance is what it's all about. I think that's very important," he told Sky Sports News.

"I'm learning that as we've gone on.

"Letting the spinners bowl is one thing but also putting some pressure on them is very important.

"I feel the first and second innings do differ, slightly.

"The first innings, as an opening batsman, is to set the game up and make sure we get a solid start for the team so I definitely have that in mind."